[Categories: Washington bankruptcy attorney]

Many jobs go unfilled, because of a "mismatch of skills" reports Jeff Joerres, CEO ofstaffing giant Manpower. (See USA Today, Section 1B, October 11, 2010, Paul Davidson "Jobs are starting to open up again".

Mr. Joerres is quoted: Companies are being pickier." With sales rising modestly, "There’s no big wind at thier back that says they have to hire right now…[they] want to fill it with the exact person they want."

"…employers added a net 64,000 private sector jobs in September. That’s far better than last year’s steep job losses, but less than the roughly 125,000 additions needed to lower the 9.6% unemployment rate." reports Mr. Davidson.

Mr. Davidson focuses on a case study of Gentex, a Zeeland Michigan maker of electronics and rearview mirrors for in-car technology systems. Gentex has found it nearly impossible to fill about 100 engineering positions after searching for six to nine months, and having received over 1,000 applications. The company has struggled to find skilled engineers, and it is also being very selective. Gentex’s Vice President of human resources Bruce Los recites: "If there wasn’t a good fit culturally, we would not hire them."

What does this mean to you? Ideas for action?: I think it is pretty darn obvious. For starters, take out the unusual face jewelry and laser out those tatoos! Anything even slightly offputting to employers means you will not get the job, so before you insert the earlobe-stretchers in your earlobes, think about the impact it will have on employers! And by all means take out the nose ring for your interview and don’t say anything stupid or offensive! This is the time to "fit in" and not be offputting in a job interview.